Jonathan Swift

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Jonathan Swift (30 November 1667 – 19 October 1745) was an Anglo-Irish writer who became Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, hence his common sobriquet, "Dean Swift".

Quotes from Jonathan Swift

No wise man ever wished to be younger.

—Jonathan Swift

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wisdom age

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When a true genius appears in this world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him.

—Jonathan Swift

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genius intelligence

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As love without esteem is capricious and volatile; esteem without love is languid and cold.

—Jonathan Swift

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love aspiration esteem

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Laws are like cobwebs, which may catch small flies, but let wasps and hornets break through.

—Jonathan Swift

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laws

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Whoever could make two ears of corn, or two blades of grass to grow upon a spot of ground where only one grew before, would deserve better of mankind, and do more essential service to his country, than the whole race of politicians put together.

—Jonathan Swift

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Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.

—Jonathan Swift

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We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another.

—Jonathan Swift

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Words are but wind; and learning is nothing but words; ergo, learning is nothing but wind.

—Jonathan Swift

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Ambition often puts men upon doing the meanest offices; so climbing is performed in the same posture with creeping.

—Jonathan Swift

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ambition

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One of the best rules in conversation is, never to say a thing which any of the company can reasonably wish had been left unsaid.

—Jonathan Swift

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conversation

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I'm youth, I'm joy, I'm a little bird that has broken out of the egg.

—Jonathan Swift

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youth

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When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign: that all the dunces are in confederacy against him.

—Jonathan Swift

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I wonder what fool it was that first invented kissing.

—Jonathan Swift

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kiss

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He was a bold man that first ate an oyster.

—Jonathan Swift

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Promises and pie-crust are made to be broken.

—Jonathan Swift

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honesty promises

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